The following account of the life of Yakoob Beg was written with atwofold intention. In the first place, it attempts to trace the careerof a soldier of fortune, who, without birth, power, or even any greatamount of genius, constructed an independent rule in Central Asia, andmaintained it against many adversaries during the space of twelve years.The name of the Athalik Ghazi became so well known in this country, andhis person was so exaggerated by popular report, that those who come tothese pages with a belief that their hero will be lauded to the skiesmust be disappointed. Yakoob Beg was a very able and courageous man, andthe task he did accomplish in Kashgaria was in the highest degreecreditable; but he was no Timour or Babur.